Bodnar posts SIJHL-best 7th shutout as North Stars blank Miners

COCHENOUR, Ont. – Thunder Bay North Stars’ netminder Brandon Bodnar kicked out all 28 shots he faced to post his Superior International Junior Hockey League-leading seventh shutout of the season in blanking the English River Miners 3-0 Thursday evening at Cochenour Arena.

After a scoreless first period, Alex Maticic picked up the night’s opening marker at 14:17 of the middle stanza as he converted during the Thunder Bay man advantage opportunity.

North Stars’ defenceman Kyle Auger added some insurance for the visitors nearly four minutes into the third before Troy Sherman iced it with another Thunder Bay power play effort at 15:52 to round out the night’s scoring.

Michael Lenko faced 33 attempts in defeat for the Miners.

The same two teams will meet again Friday in another 7:30 p.m. start at Cochenour Arena.